This Thursday, April 9th at 4 p.m., the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council will meet at the Stafford Township Municipal Building at 260 East Bay Avenue in Manahawkin, NJ. On the agenda is regulatory action concerning black sea bass and summer flounder regulations for 2015, as well as the state’s Striped Bass Bonus Program.
For interested saltwater anglers and business owners, this meeting will essentially be your last opportunity to provide feedback on the following options.
BLACK SEA BASS
(Option 1) May 27 to June 30 with a 15 fish limit; July 1 to July 31, with two fish limit; October 22 to October 31, with 15 fish limit; and November 1 to December 31 with a 15 fish limit. The size limit will be 12-1/2 inches (137 total fishing days).
(Option 2) June 10 to June 30 with a 15 fish limit; July 1 to August 31 with a three fish limit; October 23 to October 31 with a 15 fish limit; and, November 1 to December 31 with a 15 fish limit. The size limit will be 12-1/2 inches (153 total fishing days).
(Option 3) May 25 to June 30 with a 15 fish limit; July 1 to July 31 with a three fish limit; September 1 to September 6 with a three fish limit; October 22 to October 31, with a three fish limit; and November 1 to December 31 with a 15 fish limit. The size limit will be 13 inches (175 total fishing days).
SUMMER FLOUNDER
Five fish at 18 inches, 128-day season; two options for season include May 16 to September 20, or May 22 to September 26.
STRIPED BASS BONUS PROGRAM
Two options, one fish at 28 inches or above, or a slot fish from 24 to 28 inches. Council may also consider a specific season for the bonus program.
For more information, visit the New Jersey DEP.